NEW DELHI, JULY 27, SPA -- INDIAN PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH THURSDAYCALLED FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN LEBANON, DPA REPORTED. "IN OUR VIEW, THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE SO THAT THEDESTRUCTION OF LEBANON IS ENDED AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE COULD BEPROVIDED," SINGH SAID IN A STATEMENT BEFORE THE INDIAN PARLIAMENT. HE ALSO CRITICIZED ISRAEL FOR THE ARREST AND CONTINUING DETENTIONOF PALESTINIAN MINISTERS. "THERE CAN BE NO JUSTIFICATION WHATSOEVERFOR TAKING SUCH ACTION AGAINST THE DULY-ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OFTHE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE," HE SAID. "THE VIRTUAL DESTRUCTION OF A COUNTRY WHICH HAS BEEN PAINFULLYREBUILT AFTER TWO DECADES OF CIVIL WAR CAN HARDLY BE COUNTENANCED BYANY CIVILIZED STATE ... ALL SIDES MUST IMMEDIATELY HALT THE VIOLENCEAND GIVE DIPLOMACY A CHANCE." HE SAID THERE MUST BE AN ATTEMPT TO FIND A LONG-TERM SOLUTION THATINVOLVED AND ADDRESSED THE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS OF ALL PARTIES IN THEREGION LEADING TO A COMPREHENSIVE AND NEGOTIATED SOLUTION.--SPA 27/07/2006 13:03 ت م www.spa.gov.sa/378529